IQMS Blog for Manufacturing ERP Expertise

Motivational Manufacturing Monday - How Well Do You Listen?

I would like to start by saying I hope all the mothers reading this had a wonderful Mother’s Day! I have been blessed with a great mom who is always there for me, so thank you Mom! This week's blog topic is actually something my Mom taught me about. She taught my siblings and I to listen with the intent of understanding, not just to hear words. This is a life lesson that is so important in all relationships because so much can be missed when you don’t really pay attention.

While meeting with a few customers this past week, I was told, not once, but on two separate occasions that a salesman (from a different company) had been to their facilities and had not heard anything that the manufacturer had told them. They said the salesman was well versed in their presentation, but when questions arose, they never addressed them directly. The salesperson thought they could just brush past and kept going on with their rehearsed presentation. However, in both instances, the salesperson was cut short on their visit and was told to leave before even finishing their pitch.

In life, poor listening skills can affect so many different aspects, from personal to professional relationships. While it is difficult, IQMS strives to listen to its customers and deliver a product that is changing according to the needs of our customer base. Our years of experience in the manufacturing arena have expanded greatly because we have such amazing clients to work with and learn from. My company listens so well, it has pushed me to do this on a personal basis even more carefully than before, leading to better results.

While my Mom might tell you funny (or not so funny) stories of me not listening to her when growing up, I really did hear what she was trying to teach me all those years. Listening helps you make a stronger connection with people and helps you understand what that person is really trying to accomplish. How much time could you save if you took the time to properly listen? I know it is easy to brush people off and say you don’t have the time, but at what cost to you? In this case, the salesperson in my example above not only missed an opportunity, but they wasted valuable time and money.

“Listen with the intent to understand, not the intent to reply.” -Stephen Covey